A Chronological Revelation

By David Kidd

If God wanted us to study the book of Revelation, why is it so hard to understand? Maybe it is easier than it first appears. In these pages, you will begin a journey that takes you beyond a mere understanding of Revelation to encountering the very fabric with which God wove creation. In Revelation, all of the biblical prophecies, penned by numer

• Language: English
• Publisher: Strong Tower Publishing
• Release date: Nov 15, 2015
• ISBN: 9781942949008

David Kidd

David Kidd (1926–1996) was an American-born writer, teacher and connoisseur who devoted his life to experiencing the culture of China and Japan. In Kyoto, he was the founding director of the Oomoto School of Traditional Japanese Arts.

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prologue

PRELUDE TO REVELATION:

NATIONAL ISRAEL RETURNS

If you want proof that biblical prophecy can be trusted, you simply have to look at the nation of Israel. By all accounts, this nation should have been wiped off the map years ago. Yet it remains, surrounded by hostile neighbors, and has one of the strongest militaries on earth. Prophets like Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Isaiah prophesied its rebirth thousands of years ago. Once the Jewish people were scattered in the first century, the rebirth of this nation seemed improbable, even ludicrous. Yet reborn it was.

The rebirth of Israel is also one of the precipitating factors setting the stage for the time of the end. I have always believed that, but my study of Revelation confirmed it. A literal understanding of Israel’s rebirth, along with a literal fulfillment of all of the prophecies related to this reborn nation in the end times, support what is an entirely consistent end-times pattern when Revelation is read chronologically.

Consider these verses:

Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things? Shall a land be born in one day? Shall a nation be brought forth in one moment? For as soon as Zion was in labor she brought forth her children. (Isa. 66:8)

Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when it shall no longer be said, ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt,’ but ‘As the Lord lives who brought up the people of Israel out of the north country and out of all the countries where he had driven them.’ For I will bring them back to their own land that I gave to their fathers. (Jer. 16:14-15)

Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the Lord; I have spoken, and I will do it. (Eze. 37:12-14)

God decreed that there would be a re-establishment of the literal nation of Israel prior to the time of the end. The world witnessed that fulfillment in 1948. The re-establishment of this ancient nation is one of the primary events that sets up the literal fulfillment of all non-symbolic prophecy. Even so, some deny the prophetic importance of the re-established state. To these I must ask, if the reformation of Israel in the twentieth century does not fulfill these prophecies, why did God allow Israel to re-form? God is not a God of confusion.

Shall I bring to the point of birth and not cause to bring forth? says the Lord, shall I, who cause to bring forth, shut the womb? says your God. (Isa. 66:9)

If God decreed that Israel would be brought from the nations of the world to become her own nation again, why do some deny the relevance of the event?

This is not to say that Israel has returned to God spiritually, only that Israel as a nation now exists as foretold. As we shall see in the pages of Revelation and other prophetic books, it is also foretold that, before the final judgment, Israel will return to God spiritually, as well.

As we turn the pages of Revelation, we witness how this transition will take place. As we read how the events unfold, it becomes clear that the return of national Israel is to be taken literally. This is particularly clear as we witness the literal fulfillment of other prophetic passages beginning with the breaking of the second seal.

A CHRONOLOGICAL TEMPLATE

A Chronological Revelation presents a picture of end-times events unlike any other I have come across. By using Revelation as a chronological template and overlaying other prophetic Scriptures, I believe end-times events can be understood in a fresh way. The enigmatic prophecies of Daniel spring to life. The seven-year end of the age becomes part of a larger, intriguing series of events that unravel over a more protracted period of time. We see two major periods of tribulation, one for the church (Matt. 24:9-14) and the other for Israel (Matt. 24:15-28). Throughout these periods, our patient God is actively redeeming his people even as he pours out his increasing wrath on an unrepentant world.

In the pages of this book, I present a view of the end times that I did not anticipate unfolding. I present the book of Revelation beginning with the fifth chapter, passage by passage, and compare it to other prophetic books and discuss how it is consistent with a chronological view. The resulting timeline is illustrated in the chart "Outline of a Chronological Revelation." I hope that in sharing this vision of the time of the end, you are encouraged. If you do find yourself living through the events described here, I hope this book will help you find comfort in knowing that God is in complete control and has appointed you for such a time as this.

May you find peace, no matter what circumstances you are facing.

In everything give thanks;

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

1 Thess. 5:18 NASB

INTRODUCTION

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5

He said, Go your way, Daniel, for the words are shut up and sealed until the time of the end. Many shall purify themselves and make themselves white and be refined, but the wicked shall act wickedly. And none of the wicked shall understand, but those who are wise shall understand.

DANIEL 12:9-10

From the time of Jesus’ first advent, his followers have sought to understand God’s plan for eliminating evil and transitioning them into a perfect relationship with him. Just before his crucifixion, Jesus’ disciples asked him about this transition, which Scripture calls the time of the end. Jesus’ response was documented in the Gospels, most prominently in Matthew 24 and 25, but also in Mark 13 and Luke 21. It is interesting to note that John did not address this topic in his gospel account, but later received revelation concerning this time from Jesus. We know this as the book of Revelation.

In the Gospels, the descriptions of the time of the end are relatively short, concise, and straightforward. Revelation is another matter. For centuries scholars, theologians, and the common man have attempted to unravel its mysteries and what has long been accepted to be its symbolic language of seals, beasts, trumpets, witnesses, bowls, and war. According to most accepted interpretations, the events are prophesied in telescoping or recurrent expression. The seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls are alternate descriptions of the same events to one degree or another.

The other book of the Bible that contains the most extensive prophecies concerning the time of the end is Daniel. It, too, features strange beasts, war, and end-times visions. In fact, the visions troubled Daniel so deeply that afterward he said, So I was left alone and saw this great vision, and no strength was left in me. My radiant appearance was fearfully changed, and I retained no strength (Dan. 10:8). Other not-yet-fulfilled end-times prophecies are found elsewhere in the Bible. Most notably (although not exclusively), they can be found in the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah.

I originally intended this study to be an informal reading of the book of Revelation in an effort to gain some clarity about a book I had never understood. Early in the process I realized I needed to take notes in order to not get lost ... again. But how does one take notes and organize them when one is unsure those notes are being placed in the right order? According to traditional interpretations of Revelation, the notes would be overlapping since the events sometimes appear redundant or outside a normal temporal framework.

Then I began to wonder if, rather than repeating the same events using different imagery, Revelation described these events in the actual order in which they occur. After all, Matthew 24 and 25 seem to describe events in the order in which they unfold, although without the detail and specificity of Revelation. I began by overlaying the events described in Matthew 24 onto Revelation and found that they lined up in perfect chronological order. I took this as confirmation to maintain this process and continued using Revelation as a template. I overlaid other prophecies onto the detailed descriptions in Revelation and found that they, too, were a perfect match.

My study took a very different direction. I was now constrained by what seemed to be one obvious fact: history is told in the sequence in which it unfolds. If prophecy is the pre-telling of history, would it not follow that it would also be told in the sequence in which it will occur? If so, the prophecies in Revelation do not re-tell the same events. They begin with the opening of the first seal in Revelation 5 and end in Revelation 21 with a new heavens and a new earth.

The result is A Chronological Revelation, an interpretation that maintains the original sequence of events as described in Revelation and allows other prophetic Scriptures to retain their original sequences as well. What emerges is a beautiful picture of God’s repeated calls to repentance prior to his ever-increasing judgment on mankind. I am convinced that God is patiently preparing a great harvest, allowing those who will turn to him to repent in order to spare them from his wrath before the end of the age.

The book of Revelation is not meant to frighten or confuse God’s faithful. Rather, it is intended as a warning and call to repentance. It is also intended as a comfort to those who seek to know where they are in the sequence of history. The events described in Revelation are guideposts to reassure those who cry out, How much longer before you judge and avenge us? Above all, Revelation establishes that a loving God is, indeed, in control.

MY APPROACH

My training as an architect has taught me to solve problems in a methodical manner, taking into account both functional and aesthetic requirements in order to produce a unified structure. In architecture, the greater the number of parameters that must be considered,(including climate, soil conditions, available building materials, building codes, and building type), the greater the challenge of assimilating them into a design that accomplishes the goal. Yet it can be done. I applied this same approach to the interpretation of Scripture. If the parameters of God’s design for the end of the age are scattered throughout Scripture yet authored by the same omniscient source, it should be possible to compile these texts into one document that reveals the complete design.

My approach is an honest attempt to let Scripture speak for itself by eliminating all other sources that might pollute its meaning. This approach, I believe, allows us to see what the text is really saying. In my studies, I found that when I could not reconcile a particular point it was generally because I had let the perceptions and interpretations of others creep into my understanding. When I yielded to the text and rejected preconceived or external notions of what the text should say, its meaning became clear. I view this as the Holy Spirit revealing truth.

Was I successful in maintaining this approach 100 percent of the time? Probably not, but the consistency of the patterns that I encountered led me to believe that my approach is correct. The more I continue to study Revelation, the more firmly I believe that its events are chronological, even if some of the details need to be refined over time.

This work is an attempt to assimilate all relevant biblical prophecy into one chronological framework. As I use these pages to walk through Revelation, I overlay prophecies from Matthew, Mark, and Luke, as well as from Daniel, Isaiah, Ezekiel, and other prophets to show how they all work together to create a single, clear, and chronological picture of the time of the end.

To the best of my knowledge, this straightforward overlay approach does not abrogate the orthodox grammatical-historical method of interpretation. Nor is there any code or complex symbolism broken here. No esoteric knowledge is required, just a simple, forthright reading of the text under the control of the Holy Spirit. Isn’t it just like God to place his revelation right in front of our faces and to open our eyes at his appointed time (Dan. 12:4)?

In short, I believe:

Jesus foretold history in chronological order, just as is natural when documenting historical events.

Because all pre-telling of history in scripture was authored by the same God, different accounts can be overlaid onto one another without conflict. The result is the revelation of a more complete picture and a confirmation of the sequence.

Scripture interprets Scripture.

Language that is clearly symbolic is to be interpreted symbolically. Anything else is to be interpreted literally.

Symbolic language is consistent throughout the Scriptures.

Prophecy will be understood (opened up) at the time of the end.

These accounts speak solely of the time of the end. They should therefore be interpreted as occurring at a distinct period of time just before Jesus’ return.

Some of these discussions may require background not held by every reader. Therefore, to keep the main text simple and easy to read, I inter weave important prophecies into the discussion, but for those needing further explanation, I have created short, topic-specific appendixes at the end of the book.

I have also provided a general outline and chart depicting the chronological order of events found in the book of Revelation to assist in maintaining a sense of place as we move through the book.

OUTLINE OF A

CHRONOLOGICAL

REVELATION

PROLOGUE

Prelude to Revelation: National Israel Returns

A Chronological Template

INTRODUCTION

My Approach

SCROLL AND THE LAMB

Symbolism of the Scroll

Understanding the Beast of Revelation

SEVEN SEALS

First Seal: White Horse (First Head Takes Power)

Second Seal: Red Horse

Third Seal: Black Horse

(First Head Falls/Second, Third, Fourth and Fifth Heads Take Power) 

Between Third Seal and Fifth Trumpet

Fourth Seal: Pale Horse

Fifth Seal: Martyred Souls Comforted

Great Tribulation of the True Church/Great Apostasy of the False Church

Seven Groups of the Elect

Sixth Seal: Those Martyring the Church Fear God’s Wrath

INTERLUDE BEFORE THE WRATH

144,000 of Israel Sealed

Multitude out of the Great Tribulation of the Church Given White Robes

Seventh Seal: Silence in Heaven

THE SEVEN TRUMPETS—GOD’S RESTRAINED WRATH

First Trumpet: Earth Struck

Second Trumpet: Sea Struck

Third Trumpet: Water Struck

Fourth Trumpet: Light Struck

Fifth through Seventh Trumpets: (The Three Woes: Satanic Forces on Earth)

Fifth Trumpet: First Woe

Sixth Trumpet: Second Woe

Israel—Call to Repentance

DANIEL’S SEVENTIETH WEEK BEGINS

Daniel’s Fourth Beast (Beast out of the Sea)

(Second, Third and Fourth Heads Fall/Fifth Head Takes Power)

The Lineage of the Antichrist

THE DAY OF THE LORD BEGINS

Seventh Trumpet: The Kingdom of the World becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord

FIRST THEOLOGICAL INTERLUDE

The Great Signs in Heaven

War in Heaven 

Satan Loses Position 

The Third Woe

War on Earth: Great Tribulation of Israel 

World Government-—Beast out of the Sea The False Prophet—Beast out of the Earth 

The Mark of the Beast

REDEMPTION

144,000 Redeemed as First Fruits

The Harvest of the Earth—Feast of Trumpets

Two Different Experiences of the Harvest

A Closer Look at the Rapture

Martyrdom before Wrath/Rapture before Wrath/Protection through Wrath—Always

The 1,335 Days—Yom Kippur

A Picture of God’s Faithfulness

Grape Harvest: Winepress of God Commences

(Culminates in Revelation 19:15)

Sea of Glass and Fire–Purification of the Elect

SEVEN BOWLS—GOD’S UNRESTRAINED WRATH

The Bowl Judgments Begin

First Bowl: Painful Sores on Mark Bearers

Second Bowl: All in the Sea Die Third Bowl: Fresh Water Becomes Blood Fourth Bowl: Sun Scorches Man

Fifth Bowl: Beast’s Throne and Kingdom Plunged into Darkness— 

The 2,300 Days (Fifth Head Falls/Sixth Head Takes Power)

Sixth Bowl: The Whole World Prepared for Battle at Armageddon

Seventh Bowl: Armageddon

Nations Assembled

SECOND THEOLOGICAL INTERLUDE 

Apostate Christianity/World Religion The Seat of Seven Mountains

The Scarlet Beast (Daniel’s Fourth Beast Covered with the Blood of the Saints) 

The King Who Was, and Is Not (Fifth Head and Eighth Head)

Five Fallen Heads, One Is (Sixth Head) 

The Other Is Not Yet Come (Seventh Head)

An Eighth Head but It Belongs to the Seven Heads (Fifth Head) 

Ten Horns—Ten Kings to Receive Authority for One Hour

Apostate Christianity/World Religion Destroyed by Beast’s Ten Horns

CHRIST’S SECOND COMING 

Marriage Supper of the Lamb Winepress of God Complete

Thousand-Year Reign of Christ—Feast of Tabernacles

The Last Great Day—Eighth Day of the Feast of Tabernacles

NEW HEAVEN, NEW EARTH, NEW JERUSALEM

What’s It Mean for You?

chapter one

THE SCROLL AND THE LAMB

Then I saw in the right hand of him who was seated on the throne a scroll written within and on the back, sealed with seven seals. And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.

REVELATION 5:1-5

The first four chapters of Revelation have not been included in our discussion since our focus is on the events initiated by the opening of the scroll. It is at this time that the time of the end‚commences and a chronological timeline is established, culminating with the new heavens and new earth. However, because these four chapters provide important background and context for the opening of the scroll, it is worth providing a short synopsis before continuing our main discussion.

This background and context was revealed to John, who penned Revelation. In Revelation 1, John was told to pass along the contents of the scroll to the seven churches (representing the entirety of the followers of Jesus) in written form. In Revelation 2 and 3, John was told to elaborate on his message to the seven churches by identifying their strengths and weaknesses and their resulting rewards and punishments. In Revelation 4, John is caught up in the spirit to heaven to the throne of God, where he witnesses the activities to occur just prior to the end of the age. In Revelation 5, the focus turns to the scroll in the right hand of the Father, and we discover that the only one found worthy to open the scroll is Jesus.

"Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals,

for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people;

for God from every tribe and language and people and nation,

and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God,and they shall reign on the earth." (Rev. 5:9-10)

This brings us to the beginning of our discussion.

SYMBOLISM OF THE SCROLL

The scroll of Revelation 5 is one of the most recognizable images in all of Revelation. When the Lamb of God is handed the scroll, this sets the stage for everything that follows. It is the precipitating event that enables the final judgment and what many call the end of the world. Jesus‚—and only Jesus—is authorized to break the scroll’s seals and unleash the series of terrifying events the document foretells.

The opening of the scroll ties the prophecies of Revelation together with those written by the prophet Daniel hundreds of years earlier. In both books, we see Jesus (in Revelation as the Lamb and in Daniel as the Son of Man) being